Difficulty
advanced
Viz (last reported 97708h ago)
Max Depth
23 ft
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Halona Blow Hole
This is the beach where Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr got hot and heavy, making out in a wicked beach break in the movie "From Here to Eternity". (I think I would've found the waves a little distracting. Seriously, they're getting their backsides handed to them big time and I doubt they enjoyed filming that scene at all.) It's also called Cockroach Cove by more recent generations, not sure why.
It's a very nice dive site. Use caution for the current and waves which can be treacherous. Only go when it's very docile. Rocks may be slippery as well.
After swimming out shallow cove, turn a little north and find the big crack that leads into the actual blow hole. If there's any waves at all, stay away from blow hole. Seriously, people have died in there (usually by getting sucked in from above, though) and you don't want to get stuck inside. Just use your head. If wave action is okay, it's pretty cool dropping down into this itty-bitty canyon.
Pretty good chance to see green sea turtles, spotted eagle rays, octopus and maybe a white-tip shark.
At first glance, Halona Blow Hole appears to be an easy, protected site for both snorkelers and divers. However, a list of SCUBA fatalities since 1971 shows that more fatalities by far occur at Halona Blow Hole than any other dive site in the state. First off, the sea cliffs that make this stretch of shoreline so great for diving also precludes any easy exit sites. This, coupled with the strong current, slippery rocks, waves on the ledges, and lack of lifeguards makes this coast one of the most hazardous on the island. Be especially careful on this stretch of coast! The nearest facilities are at Sandy Beach to the North, so take plenty of water.
Halona Blow Hole, on the South Eastern shore, can be found at a large touristy turn out between Hanauma Bay and Sandy Beach Park.
Access
shore
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David haygh
May 11, 2014, 12:00 AM
scuba
This site is a fickle one. Conditions must be just right in order for beginners to consider diving it. Today was one of those days. Your site survey should take into account the amount of choppy water on the horizon (white caps), the surface surge (wave action on shore), and the tide level. This site is best at high an low tide, gets dicey in between. Easy entry once on the shore, to the left there are a lot of cool rock formations to left, it gets to about 30ft, to the right of the entrance is a gigantic sheer cliff that bottoms out at 50ft, very cool... Just please be mindful of the currents and plan for this accordingly...